We had an interesting challenge this past year.
One of you emailed us to let us know that Bella Grace, a very popular publication, had chosen to quote one of our stories. The only problem was that they attributed it as 'anonymous.'
We were faced with the decision to let it go or to pursue it. Honestly, we see this all the time... on instagram, FaceBook & pinterest, even in emails to us... mistakenly attributing our work to Brian's old company or not at all.
It may seem a little thing, but when words are your livelihood, accuracy matters. But more than this, it's an important skill - to research something, to understand its origins, to discern, to parse, to ascertain... Accuracy ought to matter.
I am of the age before internet & computers & cell phones. These came into common usage when I was in my early 20's in graduate school. So I'd already been held repeatedly to the high bar of MLA standards. My generation went to the library to research - finding information in books, on microfische and microfilm - it was quite clear when sources were yours & when they were not. If one ran up against a piece of writing that was 'anonymous' - it was more likely you hadn't done your homework.
Such was the case here. A simple query in google with the words of our story brought up Flying Edna in the first few hits.
It's not just about our livelihood & the work we do. It's about passing forward hard-learned skills & ways to the next generation. Because they're not always innate or known unless they are taught. So it felt important to bring this slight to the attention of a magazine that aligns with what we also feel is important:
"We wanted to start a magazine that was filled with women who found overwhelming pleasure from the simple things in life. Women who, despite difficult circumstances, continue to seek out life’s beauty. Women who share and celebrate their unique quirks. Women who support other women."
~ Director of Publishing & Editor-in-Chief
The Editor-in-Chief was appropriately appalled. She apologized & asked us how we would like to move forward. As you most likely know, retractions fall someplace between nowhere & no place at all, so we asked that they choose another of our Flying Edna stories for an upcoming issue & correctly attribute it. She readily agreed.
What followed were months of silence. We had to periodically check in with her, always we had the same supportive response... next issue... timing... etc. Of course we understand there are many moving parts, of which we were a teensy one.
After nine months of our first conversation via email, she responded with two options for the winter edition for quotes. We expressed our thoughts & anticipated sharing the winter 2025 issue information with you all so we could support one another's efforts.
But our work was nowhere to be found in the issue - she reneged on her promise, with no notice to us.
So we are looking inward. At the larger picture of branding. A less interesting topic to us that than creating, but such is the time in which we live. We want to be responsible on our end & find a way for this experience to open us further rather than close us down.
Our storyblocks were created after one of you wrote to us saying that she wanted more of our work, but had no more wall space. We played around, paired her desire with our aesthetic & love of hardwoods & ta-da! came up with storyblocks. They're an option for those who have run out of wall space or are downsizing, for those in smaller spaces or who prefer to have the story without the illustration. We chose to brand the blocks with our studio name as a copyright & a way to find us.
However, there are so many people putting other people's words all over the place in social media & on various products... so we can see how it the words front facing without authorship could be confusing. It's easy to know where the words are from when you come to us for a special piece. Not so easy when you see a picture of it on a random social media post.
Which is why we're rethinking the storyblocks & how we present them.
So. We are pausing on wood for the month of January. That way we can focus our time on getting a book to print & playing a bit in the studio with our stories & how we put them out there in the world.
We appreciate your patience and as always, your continued support.
wishing wellness & wonder,
fia & brian
Comment
I sincerely hope you find a way to continue the story blocks. The two that you made for me to give my physical therapists were so wonderful – they were received with tears and hugs because of the words. Your work is remarkable, no one should be allowed to create a situation where your work isn’t seen and celebrated. Hugs to you both, and wishes for a happy and healthy and prosperous year!